Image Processing Apparatus Color Gamut Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing color mapping techniques, such as 'perceptual' and 'absolute colorimetric' mapping, often result in chroma reduction or color degeneration, where the distance between colors after mapping becomes smaller than before, leading to recognition of distinct colors as identical during printing.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that acquires and corrects color conversion information for different areas of image data, generating specific color conversion information to maintain or increase color differences, thereby reducing color degeneration by adjusting color information within the color gamut of a printer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 'perceptual' mapping is performed, then color reproduction within printer gamut is achieved, but chroma reduction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different color conversion strategies to different regions of the color space. Specifically, it performs chroma saturation enhancement in directions where the printer can reproduce colors (within gamut) while using perceptual mapping in directions where colors would otherwise be lost (outside gamut). This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by preserving chroma where possible while maintaining overall color reproduction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes color conversion parameters based on the input color characteristics. It calculates chroma saturation enhancement rates and direction vectors that are specific to each color's position in the color space, allowing the system to optimize between chroma preservation and gamut compliance on a per-color basis rather than applying a fixed conversion strategy.
2Measurement precision
If 'absolute colorimetric' mapping is performed, then color accuracy is maintained, but color degeneration occurs where distance between colors decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary chroma saturation enhancement before the color conversion process. By pre-calculating enhancement direction vectors and applying chroma boosting in directions that will be preserved through the conversion, it counteracts the color degeneration that would otherwise occur during absolute colorimetric mapping, maintaining both color accuracy and distinguishability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional dimension to the color conversion process by incorporating chroma saturation enhancement as a separate operational layer. It decomposes color conversion into multiple directional components, enhancing chroma in specific directions while maintaining accuracy in others, thereby preventing color degeneration without sacrificing colorimetric fidelity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If unique compression is performed in chroma direction, then color gamut is optimized, but color degeneration reduction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic chroma saturation enhancement where the enhancement rate and direction are adjusted based on the specific color characteristics and position in the color space. Rather than applying fixed compression ratios, the system calculates optimal enhancement parameters for each color, allowing adaptive optimization of gamut utilization while maintaining color distinguishability throughout the entire color range.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus comprises an acquisition unit configured to acquire a first color information group included in a first area of image data and a second color information group included in a second area of the image data, a correction unit configured to correct first color conversion information corresponding to the first area based on the first color information group, and correct second color conversion information corresponding to the second area based on the second color information group, a generation unit configured to generate third color conversion information based on the corrected first color conversion information and the corrected second color conversion information, and a conversion unit configured to color-convert color information of the first area and color information of the second area using the third color conversion information generated by the generation unit.